Friday, 18 January 2019

Zimbabwe's largest mobile network operator Econet Wireless
has notified millions of subscribers it received another directive to shut down
internet access, a move critics say is aimed at stifling criticism of President
Emerson Mnangagwa's government amid unrest sparked by a steep fuel price
increase.

"At 22:05 [on] 17 January 2019, we were served with
another directive for total shutdown of the internet until further
notice," the company said.

"Our lawyers advised we are required to comply with
the directive pending the courts decision on its legality. The earlier
directives are already the subject of a pending High Court Application. We
sincerely apologise for all inconvenience caused by the acts of government
which are beyond our reasonable control.”

Rights groups on Friday criticised the government of
Zimbabwe for the move.

More than 600 protesters have been arrested in Zimbabwe,
with state security agents unleashing what critics have called a violent
crackdown on citizens who participated in protests triggered by a call from
labour federation ZCTU for a three-day shutdown over the 150 percent fuel price
increase. The hike has already driven transport costs sharply higher.

On Thursday the United States Embassy in Harare expressed
concern over violence in parts of the country, urging all parties to exercise
restraint.

"We condemn any disproportionate use of force and call
on Zimbabwe’s security forces to respond to civil unrest professionally and
with respect for human life and constitutional rights. We are also alarmed by
credible reports that security forces are targeting and beating political
activists and labour leaders," it said in a statement.

"The United States strongly supports freedom of
expression, freedom of association, and peaceful assembly.People have the constitutional right to
protest and express their views peacefully. We condemn acts of arson and
looting and threats against citizens. We call on protesters to refrain from
violence and threats of violence, which will only cause further economic
hardship."

The US mission also called on Harare to respect its
constitutional and international legal obligations regarding the right to
freedom of expression.

"We are concerned by the Zimbabwean government’s
blocking of Internet services in the country ... and urge the restoration of
access to social media sites and application," it said.